The American Latino Heritage Fund Shares Five Great Ways To Celebrate Hispanic Heritage In America's National Parks

Explore and Experience American Latino History in a National Park Near You Using National Park Foundation's "Find A Park" Feature at www.nationalparks.org/find

WASHINGTON, Sept. 23, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The American Latino Heritage Fund of the National Park Foundation, the official charity of America's national parks, released today a list of great ways to celebrate and honor American Latino contributions in our national parks during National Hispanic Heritage Month and throughout the entire year.

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"While we encourage people to celebrate Hispanic Heritage every day, National Hispanic Heritage Month is a great time to dig a little deeper and explore a more inclusive telling of our American story that shares the many historic achievements of American Latinos," said Midy Aponte, Executive Director of the American Latino Heritage Fund of the National Park Foundation. "We invite you to discover and enjoy all the ways our national parks preserve and honor our shared history."

Below are five great ways to celebrate Hispanic Heritage in our national parks.  For more information about events happening in America's national parks, visit the National Park Service's calendar.

• Take a guided walk to the Cuban American Friendship Urn on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. and find out why it was made and what it symbolizes.
• Experience labor activist Cesar E. Chavez's commitment and dedication to improve working and living conditions and wages for farm workers at the Cesar E. Chavez National Monument in California.
• Explore Dry Tortugas National Park and learn how Spanish explorer Ponce de Leon discovered this cluster of seven coral reef islands off the coast of Florida.
• Watch the American and Mexican flags fly together at the Chamizal National Memorial in Texas and recall the historic treaty that ended a century-long dispute between the two nations.
• Catch up on the exciting 2013 @American_Latino Expedition adventures to Mesa Verde National Park , Glen Canyon National Recreation Area and Olympic National Park.

Established in 2011, ALHF works to ensure that America's national parks preserve and reflect the diverse stories and contributions of American Latinos throughout our nation's history. ALHF also focuses on connecting American Latinos to national parks through increased visitation and stewardship activities. To date, ALHF has provided more than $180,000 to support the nominations of historic places including the Cesar E. Chavez National Monument in California and the Casa Dra. Concha Melendez Ramirez site in Puerto Rico. ALHF has pledged to continue funding nominations of additional sites into the National Park System and is actively fundraising to meet its goal.

To learn more about the work of the American Latino Heritage Fund and how to support its important efforts, visit www.ALHF.org.

ABOUT THE AMERICAN LATINO HERITAGE FUND
The American Latino Heritage Fund of the National Park Foundation assists the National Park Service and communities across the country to ensure that our national parks and historic sites preserve, reflect and engage the diverse stories and communities of American Latinos for future generations. For more information, please visit www.ALHF.org, follow us on Twitter at @American_Latino and find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/AmericanLatinoHeritageFund.

ABOUT THE NATIONAL PARK FOUNDATION
The National Park Foundation, the official charity of America's national parks, raises private funds that directly aid, support and enrich America's more than 400 national parks and their programs.  Chartered by Congress as the nonprofit partner of the National Park Service, the National Park Foundation plays a critical role in conservation and preservation efforts, establishing national parks as powerful learning environments, and giving all audiences an equal and abundant opportunity to experience, enjoy and support America's treasured places. www.nationalparks.org.

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Media Contact:
Alanna Sobel, National Park Foundation, 202.354.6486, [email protected]

SOURCE National Park Foundation